NHL Rumor Mill – June 20, 2025
NHL Rumor Mill – June 20, 2025
In today’s NHL Rumor Mill: Sam Bennett’s future with the Panthers, the Canucks made a trade offer for Marco Rossi, the latest on Penguins forwards Rickard Rakell and Bryan Rust, and update on the Islanders.
THE LATEST ON SAM BENNETT
BARDOWN: Sam Bennett told partygoers last night that he’s not leaving the Florida Panthers.

Florida Panthers forward Sam Bennett (NHL Images).
SPECTOR’S NOTE: The 29-year-old Panthers center and 2025 Conn Smythe Trophy winner is slated to become an unrestricted free agent on July 1. He would become among the most coveted players in the market if he and the Panthers fail to agree to a contract extension.
It would be surprising if Bennett and the Panthers part ways on July 1. It’s doubtful he would’ve made those comments last night if he lacked confidence in a deal getting done.
THE HOCKEY NEWS: David Alter cited a report by Andy Strickland of FanDuel Sports claiming that the Toronto Maple Leafs are not on Sam Bennett’s list of possible destinations.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: Based on Bennett’s remarks, there’s only one destination for him.
CANUCKS MADE A TRADE OFFER FOR MARCO ROSSI
THE ATHLETIC: Michael Russo and Joe Smith report the Vancouver Canucks likely offered their first-round pick (15th overall) in this year’s draft to the Minnesota Wild for center Marco Rossi.
The 23-year-old Rossi is in a contract stalemate with the Wild, making him a fixture in the offseason rumor mill. He’s seeking a deal similar to the seven-year, $49-million contract signed by teammate Matt Boldy. Rossi’s camp rejected a five-year, $25-million offer earlier this season and a two-year offer worth less than $5 million annually.
To trade Rossi, Wild general manager Bill Guerin wants a player who can replace the 60 points he’d be trading away. He’d prefer a center but would also accept a scoring winger. The Wild have had a lot of interest in winger JJ Peterka of the Buffalo Sabres. So far, however, Guerin has only been offered futures for Rossi.
THE PROVINCE: Patrick Johnston cited a source confirming the Canucks have been trying to acquire Rossi. He indicated they offered up their 2025 first-rounder plus a player, though it’s uncertain if it was a roster player or a prospect.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: It doesn’t appear like the Canucks have the trade assets to meet Guerin’s asking price. The Sabres could be a fit if they’re willing to part with Peterka for Rossi straight up.
ARE RICKARD RAKELL AND BRYAN RUST TRADE CANDIDATES?
THE ATHLETIC: Earlier this week, Josh Yohe reported Pittsburgh Penguins forwards Rickard Rakell and Bryan Rust may become trade candidates this summer.
Yohe indicated there wasn’t as much interest in Rakell at the March trade deadline as some believed. There was no truth to rumors of GM Kyle Dubas rejecting massive offers for the 32-year-old winger. Rakell has three years left on his contract with an average annual value of $5 million.
Dubas doesn’t want to trade Rakell, but every player has his price. Yohe expects the winger attracts more interest in this summer’s trade market.
Bryan Rust is another player Dubas doesn’t want to move, for the same reasons as Rakell. The 33-year-old winger also has three years left on his deal ($5.125 million AAV), but his no-movement clause expires on June 30 and there is heavy interest in him.
PITTSBURGH POST-GAZETTE: Matt Vensel reports there is plenty of buzz about teams being interested in Rust. However, he believes the Penguins will set a high asking price for him. Rakell reached a career-high 35 goals in 2024-25, but that doesn’t make him untouchable.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: A club that misses out on the slim pickings in this summer’s UFA market could come calling on Dubas about Rust or Rakell. Whether any of them are willing to meet his asking price is another matter.
UPDATE ON THE ISLANDERS
NYI HOCKEY NOW: Russ Macias cited Daily Faceoff’s Frank Seravalli saying that Noah Dobson seeks a long-term contract with an $11 million annual cap hit from the Islanders. It would be the most expensive AAV in franchise history.
Macias believes the two sides could eventually agree to an AAV between $9 million and $10 million. He also indicated that Seravalli said there have been no trade talks involving Dobson.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: Macias also noted that Dobson is an RFA at the same time as Oilers defenseman Evan Bouchard. The Dobson camp could wait for Bouchard to set the market and negotiate from there.
NEW YORK POST: Ethan Sears believes Jean-Gabriel Pageau is the Islanders’ most likely trade candidate. The 32-year-old center is UFA-eligible next July, carries a $5 million cap hit, and a 16-team no-trade list.
The Isles can compensate for Pageau’s departure by moving Mathew Barzal to center. Trading him would free up much-needed cap space for free agency.
Sears also weighed in on a report suggesting the Islanders use Pageau in a package offer to the Boston Bruins for the seventh-overall pick and take Long Island native James Hagens. However, he believes there’s no reason to make that trade unless they know for certain that Hagens would be available at that pick.